Sara + I used to waitress together in the summers in Ohio when were both home from college. And now we are both nurses! She works in obstetrics with mamas and their sweet babies, and I practice critical care for adults. I knew I was going to be gone for the fall with work somewhere out west (of course). But when she reached out about photographs of her and her love, Alex, I really wanted to make it happen for them.

We always bonded over how our families have coincidentally both gone to Lake Cumberland in Somerset, Kentucky for generations. Making it such a special, familiar place for us both. So when I flew home mid assignment to work at my ICU in Nashville, we met at the lake just for the day to shoot these images. They drove over four hours from Ohio and I drove a little over two from Tennessee. I had scouted these locations out the night before with my dad, and found the most incredible overlook of the landscape. Definitely can’t wait to go back and photograph here again!

People who frequent Lake Cumberland are the kindest. For example, this couple saw us walking on the boardwalks at a marina and invited us up onto the deck of their houseboat to take photos. We talked with them before leaving to pick up pizza and catch the last of the Ohio State football game. Alex was so happy to be there too, which makes ALL the difference when the guy is actually stoked to be photographed with his girl. It makes it SO fun and easy. Sometimes in this role you just have couples you’re so obsessed with, and for me that was hands down Sara + Alex. 🤍

 

Here is what Sara told me about their adventurous lake session:

“Working with Nicole was easily one of the best experiences a young couple could have. She was able to effectively communicate her vision alongside understanding my vision for these photographs. In the end, we received timeless photographs that will forever be displayed in our new home.”

Loved being at Lake Cumberland with this couple.